Monday, January 12, 2015

PENANG, Malaysia—Seven-minute Bicol film “[Pa]Duman” ([To] Someplace) was named one of the finalists at the TropFest Film Festival 2015. The announcement was made on Thursday, January 8, in a press conference with the filmmakers and TropFest secretariat here.

Jenn Romano (standing third from left), director of Bicol short film "[Pa]Duman" ([To] Someplace), with fellow TropFest 2015 finalists in Penang, Malaysia. (Photo from Tropfest.com)

“[Pa]Duman,” which according to TropFest website depicts how “along every road to someplace, there are stations where lives may change,” is the third directorial work of Jennifer Lyn M. Romano, a Communication graduate from Ateneo de Naga University. Romano’s first film “Kuwatro:Otso” was Bicol region’s representative at the National Cinemarehiyon Film Festival in Cagayan de Oro City last year.

“[Pa]Duman” is written by prizewinning poet and translator Victor Dennis T. Nierva who is also featured as an actor in the film along with writer Frank Peñones Jr. and Chrismund Leaño. The film was entirely shot in Minalabac, Camarines Sur province, and produced by Romano, Nierva togwther with photographer Gerard Jan M. Asay who also served as its chief cinematographer.

The screening of the film along with fifteen other finalists and the announcement of winner will be held on the festival night on February 1 at The Esplanade in Penang. TropFest 2015 will be graced by internationally acclaimed cinematographer and director, Christopher Doyle.